The Italian Language Today / Edition 2

by Anna Laura Lepschy, Guilio Lepschy

Overview

Italian as a national spoken language is a new experience for Italians; until very recently it was normal for a majority of people to speak in a dialect and Italian was a literary language used only by a minority.

The Italian Language Today

concentrates on contemporary usage of the language and will enable the reader to understand and use appropriately a wide range of expressions, characterized where necessary according to their level of formality or their regional nature. This work not only describes contemporary Italian,

but examines some aspects of its history which have often led people to wonder whether an ``Italian'' language really exists.

The first section of the book provides an outline history of the language and a sketch of its dialects. The authors also describe the formation of the

modern standard in its varieties--regional, social and occupational. Part Two is a reference grammar of contemporary educated Italian, presented according to the way it is actually used, rather than to traditional prescription.

The illuminating combination of historical

perspective and contemporary grammar makes this a unique contribution to Italian linguistics and an invaluable reference book for all students and scholars in the field of Italian. The second edition has been revised throughout to bring it completely up to date.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415078627
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/24/1988
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Giulio Lepschy was born in Venice and studied in universities all over Europe. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Reading, and has traveled to North America as a visiting professor.
His wife Anna Laura Lepschy has recently retired from her position as a professor at University College, London, and now travels with him as a visiting professor.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition Preface Part 1: The Linguistic Situation in Italy Italian Today A Historical View Italian Dialects Varieties of Italian Part 2: The Grammar of Italian V An Outline Phonology Spelling The Article Prepositions with the Article Conjunctions Nouns and

Adjectives Comparatives and Superlatives Adverbs Personal Pronouns Possessives Interrogatives and Relatives Negatives Demonstratives Indefinites Numerals Verbs VI Sixteen Points of Syntax Some Notes on Word Order The Use of the Article Evaluative Suffixes Compund and Juxtaposed Nouns

Position of Adjectives Agreement of Adjectives Position of Adverbs Some Constructions with/without Prepostions Agreement of Past Participles Clitic Clusters Constructions with causative and perception predicates The use of si The use of indicative past tenses The use of the subjunctive

Sequence of tenses The use of the conditional Short Bibliography; Table of main symbols used; Index

Editorial Reviews

A stimulating and scholarly introduction to Italian for the serious student.

Times Higher Education

A major new contribution to the literature in English.... [The Italian Language Today] will be an essential part of the linguistics formation of every Italianist.

The Year’s Work in Modern Language Studies

Possibly the best concise account now available in any language.

Times Literary Supplement

‘... a truly authoritative short Italian grammar ... the best account now available in any language.' - Times Literary Supplement

‘a stimulating and scholarly introduction to Italian for the serious student.' - Times Higher

From the Publisher

A major new contribution to the literature in English.... [The Italian Language Today] will be an essential part of the linguistics formation of every Italianist.

The Year’s Work in Modern Language Studies